Switch actuator



March 3, 1970 F. L. STEVENS SWITCH ACTUATOR Filed May 23, 1967 FIG. I

I "I 32 W l 224 I. IIL/WM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ll HERO/V l. STEVENS ATTORNEYS March 3, 1970 F. STEVENS 3,499,132

SWITCH ACTUATOR Filed May 23, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I. 24 W I Mme 1 II I n 76 ALAEM Z m5 72 Z F '6 6 M4 'NVENW firkeon 4. STEVE/VS 0% 92 /AZ /mb m r MVW ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,499,132 SWITCH ACTUATOR Farron Lowe Stevens, 4105 Parkway, Royal Oak, Mich. 48072 Filed May 23, 1967, Ser. No. 640,633 Int. Cl. H0lh 3/02 US. Cl. 200-6133 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pre-set spring loaded striker member mounted on the cover plate of a wall-mounted electrical switch is movable in a path wherein it engages the actuating member of the switch. The striker member is retained in a set position by a retainer until released by a falling weight or other means responding to a predetermined condition such as a door being opened by an unauthorized person. The switch is connected in circuit-closing relationship with a suitable audible or visual device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to actuating means and more specifically to a mechanical actuating device mounted on the cover plate of a conventional wall-mounted electrical switch. The actuating device has a spring loaded striker for operating the switch means for retaining the striker in a preset condition under certain conditions and for automatically releasing the striker upon the occurrence of other predetermined conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART sign, expensive to purchase and install, and frequently unreliable in operation.

It is the broad purpose of the present invention to provide a relatively simple, mechanical, reliable actuating device which can be attached to a conventional wallmounted electrical switch with basic tools by an unskilled user and easily pre-set to actuate the switch to energize an alarm or other device.

SUMMARY A preferred embodiment of the present invention which will be subsequently described in greater detail, is described for an alarm system and has reference to a con- Nentional wall-mounted switch having an actuating member extending through a cover plate and movable between alternate positions by a force applied in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the cover plate. The actuating device includes a channel-shaped supporting member which is mounted on the cover plate by one of the threaded fasteners which connects the cover plate to the switch. For those commercial switches wherein the screws attaching the cover plate to the switch are arranged such they are not adapted to mount the actuating device in an operable position, a template can be provided with the actuating device to define the position for drilling a suitable hole in the cover plate to mount the actuating device.

A striker member is pivotably mounted within the side walls of the support member and biased by a spring toward an extended position. A releasable retainer member maintains the striker member in a set position with the spring pretensioned. When the retainer member is tripped, the striker member pivots toward its extended position with an abutment portion of the striker swinging in an are which brings it into engagement with the switch actuating member. The striker member moves with sufficient force to displace the actuating member from its normal position to its alternate position to energize an alarm circuit.

The retainer member is preferably mounted so that it is separated from the support member and the striker member by a downward force. Thus a weight connected to the retainer by a string and disposed so as to be dropped from a balanced position as a door, window or the like is opened can be employed as the tripping force.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a retainer member formed of a fusible alloy which melts when the ambient temperature increases to a predetermined level. This form of the preferred switch actuator functions as a means for energizing a fire alarm. Thus, by choosing a suitable retainer member, the switch actuator can be readily adapted as a means for energizing either a burglar alarm or a fire alarm and arranged to energize an electrical light, a door bell, a fire alarm or other visual and audio alarm means.

Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed for wall-mounted switches having a push button type of actuating member which is actuated by a force applied in a direction perpendicular to the mounting plate. In this embodiment, the striker is reciprocally mounted within a guide tube which is attached to the cover plate. The striker member is set in an initial position by a retainer which, when tripped by a disturbing force, releases the striker. The striker member, under the influence of a pre-tensioned spring, strikes the push button actuator with a sufficient force to energize the alarm circuit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple mechanical actuating device which can be mounted on the cover plate of a conventional wall-mounted electrical switch with a striker member arranged in a spring tensioned set position by a retainer member and including means for tripping the retainer member so that the striker member is released to operate the actuating member of the switch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring loaded actuating device which can be mounted on the cover plate of a conventional wall-mounted switch by simple tools and tripped by a remotely supported counter-weight to actuate the switch.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention will readily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.

Description of the drawings The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the preferred actuating device mounted on the cover plate of a wall-mounted switch forming part of an alarm system which is illustrated diagrammatically and showing the actuating device in a set condition;

FIG. 2 is a view of the actuating device of FIG. 1 with the striker member released from its set position, and illustrating in phantom how the device can be rotated to return the striker member to its initial set position;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an alarm system similar to the system of FIG. 1 but incorporating a fusible retainer member to energize a fire alarm system;

FIG. 5 is a view of another embodiment of the present invention arranged to actuate a wall-mounted switch having a push button actuating member; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

Description of the: preferred embodiments Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a preferred actuating device 10 is mounted on the cover plate 12 of a conventional wall-mounted switch 14 .(FIG. 3) which is dis posed within a suitable recess in a wall 16. The switch '14 has a conventional toggle type actuating member 18 which extends through a central rectangular aperture 20 of the cover plate 12. The switch 14 forms an energizing connection in a circuit 22 having an alarm 24. It is to be understood that the alarm 24 can comprise a variety of visual and audio alarm, signal, or lighting means which are energized by the movement of the actuating member 18 from an off to an on position. The member 18 is moved between its alternate positions by a force applied in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the cover plate 12.

The actuating device '10 comprises a support member 26 having a flange section 28 and a channel-shaped portion 30. As best seen in FIG. 3, the flange section 28 is preferably attached by the mounting screws 32 which form the conventional means for mounting the cover plate 12 to the switch 14. A rubber washer 34 is preferably arranged between the flange 28 and the cover plate 12 so that the support 28 is frictionally retained in place, but can be pivoted around the screw 32 to an oflset position illustrated at A in FIG. 2.

The support member 26 is normally arranged so that the channel-shaped portion is in an upright position with the open end of the channel facing the actuating member 18.

A striker member 36 is pivotably attached within the walls of the channel-shaped portion 30 and adjacent the upper end of the channel by a threaded fastener 38.

The striker member 36 is pivotal about an axis generally perpendicular to the cover plate 12 so that its free end describes an arc in a plane generally parallel to the cover plate 12. The striker member 36 is movable between a lower retracted position indicated in FIG. 1 where it is disposed within the side walls of the channelshaped portion 30 and an extended position wherein it extends upwardly from the channel-shaped portion 30 as shown in FIG. 2. The striker member is mounted so that it moves from its lower position toward its upper position in an interference path with the actuating member 18.

A spring-bias member 40 wrapped around the threaded fastener 38 and acting between the base of the channel-shaped portion 30 and the striker member normally tends to bias the striker member 36 towards its upper position.

A retainer member 42 is releasably engageable with the lower end of the channel-shaped portion 30 and provides a means for retaining the striker member 36 in its lower position. The retainer member includes a pair of spaced apart parallel sides 44 and 46 which respectively frictionally engage the base of the channel-shaped portion 30 and the striker member 36 to retain the striker member 36 in its lower position with the spring 40 in a pre-tensioned condition.

A flexible strand 48 has one end attached to the retainer 42 and its opposite end attached to a weight 50.

For purposes of description, the weight 50 is illustrated as balance on a support 52 mounted adjacent a door 54 having a member 56 arranged to displace the weight 50 when the door 54 is opened by unauthorized means. When the weight 50 is displaced from its balanced position, it falls from the support 52 and provides a tensional force acting through the strand 48 to disengage the retainer 42 from the channel-shaped portion 30 and release the striker member 36. The striker member 36 pivots in an arc to engage the switch actuating member 18 with a sufficient force to move it from its off to its on position so that the alarm 24 is electrically energized.

It is to be understood that retainer member 42 is illustrated as being separated by a weight member for purposes of illustration and that the retainer can'be operatively disengaged by other means to trip the striker member 36. FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred actuating device 10 employed as a part of a fire alarm system. The components of the system are identical with those of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 except the retainer 42 has been replaced b a retainer 58 formed of a fusible alloy. The retainer 58 may be formed of any of a variety of those alloys such as bismuth, lead and tin which are characterized by a melting temperature of between 180 degrees centigrade and 60 degrees centigrade so that when the ambient temperature reaches a prede termined level, the retainer 58 melts to release the striker member 36 which swings in its arc to move the actuating member 18 to its alternate position so that the alarm 24 is energized.

It is to be understood that the preferred actuating device 10 could be employed as a means for energizing a time delay circuit with a timer connected in combination with a lighting system, electrical appliances and the like.

Referring back to FIG. 2, when the striker member 36 is in its upper position, the actuating member 18 in its lower position would interfere with the return of the striker member with the support 56 disposed in its normal position. Thus the support 26 is pivotal about the fastener 32 to position A to allow the striker member 36 to be restored to its lower position and retained in its set condition by the retainer 42.

A loop 60 tied in the strand 48 provides means for engaging a grommet 62 mounted on the fastener 38 so that the weight 50 can be suspended in a stored position when the actuating device 10 is not being utilized.

Referring to FIGURE 5, an actuating device 64 illustrating another form of the invention is employed in combination with a switch 66 having a push button actuating member 68. The push button 68 is of the type normally actuated by a force in a direction perpendicular to the plate 72. The switch 66 is also mounted within a suitable recess in a wall 70 and has a cover plate 72 with an aperture through which the push button 68 extends for access to an actuating means. The switch 66 is arranged in circuit closing relationship in a circuit 74 having a suitable alarm 76.

A tubular support member 78 is mounted by a collar 80 carried on a bracket 82 which is attached to the cover plate 72 by the same threaded fasteners 84 which attach the cover plate 72 to the switch 66. A rubber washer 86 disposed between the bracket 82 and the cover plate 72 permit the tubular support member 78 to be pivoted between positions in and out of registry with the push button 68. An elongated striker member 88 is reciprocably supported in tubular support member 78 for movement along an axis toward and away from the push button 68. The striker member 88 is slideably mounted in a bushing 90 having a guide aperture 92.

Striker member 88 has a pair of ears 94 adjacent its striking end which engage a cylindrical helical spring 96 wrapped around the striker member 88 and acting between the ears 94 and the bushing 90. The spring 96 normally biases the striker for a movement toward the push button 68 in which the striking end 98 of the striker member engages the push button 68.

A fiat retainer member 100 having a pair of spaced parallel arms 102 received in a pair of slots 104 in the striker member 88 provide means for retaining the striker member 88 in a cocked position. The arms 102 engage the outer end of the tubular member 88 so that the striking end 98 is in a pretensioned condition. The arms 102 are frictionally retained in place so that by attaching a strand 106 and a weight actuating member 108, a force can be applied to the retainer 100 in a direction generally normal to the axis of movement of the striker 88 which will separate the retainer member 88 to release the striker 88 which actuates the push button member 68 and energizes the alarm 76.

The actuating device 64 can be arranged to actuate a toggle type of switch as well as a push button switch by replacing bracket 82 with a suitable bracket which supports the striker member 88 for movement in an interference path with the toggle actuating member.

Another form of the invention contemplates the actuator of FIG. 1 having the flexible strand 48 fabricated of a fire resistant material and the loop 60 formed of a fusible alloy. The loop 60 is then hung in an area of possible combustion with the weight 50 providing the means for applying a sharp jerk on the strand 48 when the loop is melted. Thus this form of the invention is readily convertible from a burglar alarm to a fire alarm.

It is to be understood that the preferred switch actuators as described can be employed in applications other than as an alarm energizing means. By combining a suitable timer with either of the preferred actuators, a time delay means for energizing appliances and the like is available.

It can therefore be seen that I have described a relatively simple and reliable mechanical actuating means for automatically moving a wall-mounted switch actuating member to a circuit energizing condition. The preferred actuating device can be attached to a conventional wall-mounted switch by a person having a relatively low mechanical skill level with the aid of readily available basic tools. In addition, the preferred actuating device can be fabricated from a relatively few inexpensive components.

Although I have described but two embodiments of the invention it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an electrical circuit having an electrical device and a switch having a normally manuallyoperated actuator for energizing and de-energizing the electrical device, automatically-operated actuating means, comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a striker mounted on the support for movement between first and second striker positions;

(c) means for mounting the support adjacent the switch such that the striker is operable to move the switch actuator to energize said device as the striker is moved from its first striker position to its second striker position;

((1) a spring connected to the striker to urge it toward its second striker position;

(e) a retainer mounted on the striker to releasably retain it in its first striker position, and

(f) a weight, means for dropping the weight from an elevated position in response to the occurrence of a predetermined condition, and means connecting the weight to the retainer to release the striker as the weight is dropping, whereby the switch actuator is automatically operated upon the occurrence of said predetermined condition.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, in which said support has a channel-shaped portion including a base, a pair of side walls and opposite open ends, said striker being disposed in its first position between said side walls and being pivotally movable toward its second position and said retainer has a pair of spaced parallel sections frictionally engaging the base of said channelshaped portion and said striker to retain said striker in its first position.

3. In combination with an electrical circuit having an electrical device and a switch having a normally manually-operated actuator for energizing and de-energizing the electrical device, automatically-operated actuating means, comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a striker mounted on the support for movement between first and second striker position;

(0) means for mounting the support adjacent the switch such that the striker is operable to move the switch actuator to energize said device as the striker is moved from its first striker position to its second striker position;

(d) a spring connected to the striker to urge it toward its second striker position; and

(e) a retainer mounted on the striker to releasably retain it in its first striker position, said retainer being formed of a fusible alloy which melts to release the striker when the ambient temperature adjacent the switch reaches a predetermined level, whereby the switch actuator is automatically operated upon the ambient temperature adjacent the switch reaching said predetermined level.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said support mounting means permit said support to be moved to a secondary position so that said striker can be restored from its second position to its first position without contacting said switch actuator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 829,515 8/1906 Dunkel 340274 1,238,532 8/1917 Lemberg 200--61.93 1,564,207 12/ 1925 Cloud 20061.8 2,208,721 7/ 1940 Demosthenes 20061.93

FOREIGN PATENTS 23,850 12/1918 Denmark.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner R. A. VANDERHYE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

ZOO-61.8, 61.83, 172; 340274, 276 

